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Thousands of people filled the streets of Sri Lanka's ancient hill capital Kandy on Monday (August 7) night to watch a colourful annual procession during the Esala Perahera festival.
The ritual involves lavish performances of dancers, drummers, fire acrobats, musicians and colourfully-decorated elephants, and is celebrated annually to honour the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, which is carried on the back of one tusker.
The century-old parade is 3.5 kilometres long, and begins at the Temple of the Tooth, otherwise known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The festival itself lasts for 10 nights, ending on the evening of the full moon (Tuesday, August 8).

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